Legislative hearing reviews budget, staffing and licensure changes for Oregon Board of Tax Practitioners

The most important details first: On Feb. 24, 2025, a legislative committee held an informational public hearing on Senate Bill 5540, the governor's recommended appropriation for the Oregon Board of Tax Practitioners. Harry Velopondian, representing the Department of Administrative Services Chief Financial Office, and Laura Cardokas, executive director of the Oregon Board of Tax Practitioners, described a largely self-funded agency seeking authority to cover higher testing costs, a sublease for office space and support for a proposed new entry-level license in House Bill 2338.

Why it matters: The board licenses and regulates paid preparers and consultants who file Oregon personal income tax returns for a fee. Workshop testimony focused on consumer protection, staffing limitations at the small agency, and how licensure and enforcement affect taxpayers and the state's tax-preparer workforce.

At the hearing, Velopondian said he would "give a brief presentation on the governor's recommended budget for the board of tax practitioners," noting the agency's request mainly covers current services and the cost of increased testing. Cardokas described the board's mission: "to protect consumers by ensuring Oregon tax practitioners are competent and ethical in their professional activities," and summarized the agency's licensing structure and recent trends.

Cardokas said the board is an other-funded agency financed primarily by exam and licensing fees and civil penalties. She told committee members the agency currently has two professional staff (down from three…